Meet Laurie Cockerell

Laurie Cockerell was born and reared in Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech University and received her graduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds an elementary/special education degree and an early childhood/kindergarten endorsement, teaching in elementary classrooms in both Texas and Hawaii. Laurie also worked extensively with children in church music and educational programs, and coached beginning soccer teams for a youth sports’ association. In addition to her public school teaching background, she worked professionally with adoptive families and managed the domestic program of a large adoption agency based in Texas.

Her most treasured lifetime work is being the mother to her four children, ages 5 to 24 years old. She is currently home schooling her youngest while enjoying the remarkable and exciting lives of her adult children.

Laurie and her husband Jesse realized the need for an educational tool for families who want to instill and encourage the conservative values of the founding fathers. They recognized that very few books of this type were available that are truly aimed at the elementary student and their interests and abilities. Laurie wrote these stories with her knowledge of characters and language that appeal to young children, and established Kinderfable Press to create a home for Founders‘ Fables and the development of additional books and teaching materials. Laurie loves to write, but unfortunately didn’t inherit her mother’s artistic ability. You will be happy to know that her brother, Travis (a REAL artist!) is the book’s illustrator. Laurie and Jesse’s five year-old twins can already understand each fable from a young child’s perspective, and the family often relates current events to the issues of each story. They hope your family will also come to know and love the stories and characters of Founders’ Fables too.

Meet Travis Dougherty

Travis Dougherty received Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from Texas Tech University and is an architect in the Houston area. In his professional life he has developed a distinct design philosophy and niche in the architectural world related to semiotics (the study of signs) after being inspired in college through studies of American philosopher Charles Peirce and novelist Walker Percy. He lives in Cypress, Texas with his wife Sharie and their two sons. Coming from a family with multiple generations of teachers and artists, he has always been interested in education and how his design skills can make a difference within and beyond the world of architecture. He has coached boys' soccer for 10 years and has been actively involved at his local church with teaching, playing music, and other artistic projects. Laurie Cockerell (Travis’ sister) presented him with his next rewarding opportunity, illustrating her highly creative tool for enlightening our future patriots, Founders’ Fables.